MLK Peace Games Bring Columbus Magnet Together

Event reflects on social justice, freedom

Mayor Harry Rilling joined students and faculty at Columbus Magnet Elementary School on Friday for its annual MLK Peace Games.

This year's "Walk to Freedom" ceremony highlighted the life of not only Martin Luther King, but Rosa Parks, and former South African social justice leader Nelson Mandela who passed away last month.

"One of the most famous lines from Dr. Martin Luther King is injustice anywhere is injustice everywhere. Which means if one person is treated without dignity, without respect, then the whole social fabric breaks down and we have no hope for moving forward as a society," said Mayor Harry Rilling.

Students had the chance to hear from a number of different speakers from former faculty members, principals, and former South African natives.

"Nelson Mandela and a group of men and women formed the African National Congress or the ANC," said Tsholo Mokubung. "A group that believed that every South African, weather black, white or Indian should have equal rights and be treated with respect."

"He put white people and colored people in the same schools together," said fourth grader Alex. "He fought with peace and words. Not physically."

Columbus magnet school has held the MLK Peace Games for 28 years, five years after it became a magnet school.

"Many of our special celebrations," said Emily Lopez. "Our annual traditions that we carry on as a part of the way that we continue to teach children, we are building the whole school community and we want to create meaningful and memorable experiences for them that they'll carry with them."